Assembly Republicans want to tighten the reins on Gov. Andrew Cuomo. 

The conference on Wednesday announced a bill that is meant to scale back some of the power the governor since March has wielded to respond to the rolling and ongoing crisis that is the coronavirus pandemic. 

“Undoubtedly, there will be times when immediate, direct action is needed from the Executive. This current pandemic has severely disrupted normal operations and required drastic mitigation,” said Assembly Minority Leader Will Barclay in a statement. “However, 'state of emergency' doesn't equate to 'authoritarian rule.' In any situation, a balanced, measured approach is necessary and the full complement of government must be levied. This bill ensures just that, and that every voice in New York is heard during times of crisis.”     

And indeed, Cuomo could be seen as a one-man government in New York, issuing executive orders to respond to the situation as it unfolds, be it changing the days primaries are held, expanding absentee ballot access and managing the restart of the economy. 

But the key is that his power, even when his briefings are televised nationally in the middle of the day, is largely contained to New York. 

Cuomo needs the federal government, perhaps more so than ever in his 10 years as governor. 


What You Need To Know


  • Gov. Cuomo needs the federal government to help New York.

  • State Republicans want to scale back his power to respond to the crisis.

  • New York needs billions of dollars to balance its books.

  • The other options are not as good: Tax hikes or spending cuts.

That was on display Wednesday as the New York governor met once again with President Donald Trump at the White House alongside his top budget advisor, Robert Mujica. 

The resulting press conference? Cuomo knocking Republican lawmakers in Congress for not ponying up the dough to help the state balance a pandemic-ravaged budget that is more than $60 billion out of whack for the next several fiscal years. 

Using his PowerPoint, Cuomo pointed to the various GOP lawmakers and commentators, including Sen. Rick Scott of Florida and economist Art Laffer, blasting their opposition to direct aid for New York.

"This is really an ugly, ugly sentiment," Cuomo said at the National Press Club, his voice dripping with disdain. "It is an un-American response. We're still the United States of America. Those words meant something." 

Cuomo, at length, spoke of New York being a "donor" state to the rest of the country during better times. 

There hasn't been that much airing of state tax distribution grievances on national TV since The West Wing (a comparatively dry topic that somehow the fictional President Bartlet is able to end with a zing).

Cuomo, of course, isn't new to a funding fight. He spent weeks post-Hurricane Sandy trying to piece together a relief package for New York, meeting with then-House Speaker John Boehner at one point. 

There's been no sit-down with Mitch McConnell, the Senate majority leader, as Cuomo clearly sees Trump as his main avenue to getting help. 

Direct aid would remove two nettlesome choices: Cuts to schools, local governments and hospitals or an increase in taxes to make the books balance. 

Yes, Cuomo has a lot of power and he's effective wielder of it. But, at least for now, he's subject to the whims of the next coronavirus relief package, whenever that passes.